BWW Reviews: Elegant Heiress at Pasadena Playhouse

The acting under Damaso Rodriguez' fine direction is simply superb. Chamberlain has never been better, playing the wicked father most convincingly. He never overplays, but keeps his negative comments low-key, practically treating some lines as throw aways, making the bite internal and thoroughly brutal. Julia Duffy as Aunt Lavinia is equally adept in her outstanding portrayal. Every word and gesture has meaning, as she, the opposite of Dr. Sloper, cares so deeply for Catherine's plight. Coombs, such a good actor, plays Townsend with a genuine quality, leaving just a trace of sympathy/pity for his actions. Does he or doesn't he love Catherine Sloper? You, the audience, must decide. The lovely Heather Tom is astounding as dowdy Catherine, making her every inch the insecure old maid. Her emotional breakdown in Act II when Morris fails to arrive is thrilling to the bone, as is her turn-around complete sense of control throughout the remainder of the play. Wonderful in supporting roles are Gigi Birmingham, Jill Van Velzer, Elizabeth Tobias, Anneliese van Der Pol and Chris Reinacher. Leah Piehl's costumes are excellent period creations and John Iacovelli's set design is to die for, one of the best on stage anywhere. If I gave awards for set design, it would win first prize.

 

This revival of The Heiress is indeed elegantly mounted from top to bottom. What is fresh in its acute vision is the awareness that people can relate to each other across centuries, and that bad behavior in a myriad of family relationships is simply that, and sadly will never alter.